Part 4

Scientists had for a long time been familiar with the fact that the earth is a colossal magnet, drawing everything upon its surface in the direction of its centre; but it was Newton who conceived the idea--and whether it was the falling apple that suggested it or no is unimportant--that the influence extended as far as the moon, and, if this could be established, to the stars throughout space. Was it not possible that the moon, trying to shoot off at a tangent, was continually pulled back by the earth, and so kept ‘falling’ round it? Newton tried experiments, applying laws already discovered, and found that the theory would not work. Undiscouraged he put the whole problem aside till more facts should have been discovered. It was not till 1682 that more accurate measurements of the earth gave Newton fresh data to go upon. Again he applied his theory, and this time he began to see that his problem was ‘coming out’--that the moon would fall just the right distance, 15 feet per minute. As he neared the end of his calculations he became so agitated that he could not go on: a friend had to finish it for him. And it was right. He had established the fact that not only is the moon subject to the law of gravitation, but that the whole universe is slung together in one stupendous system.

It is this grand discovery, and the wonderful invention of the calculus, that establish Newton’s claim to immortal honour. As says the inscription in Westminster Abbey: “The vigour of his mind was almost supernatural”.

Notes

In this précis the story should be condensed, and told as a continuous narrative, and not in scraps and jottings as in a log.

For the purpose of verifying positions, &c.--especially as the battle was fought at night--it is important to mention _names_ of all ships.

It is also necessary to give the _times_ of the chief events; but one can avoid monotony and scrappiness by using phrases such as “Ten minutes later.…”

No. 18.--The Battle of the Nile

From the log of the _Swiftsure_ (unofficial):--

At 6.0 p.m. received order from Flag-ship to furl and wet all unused sails; and to sling a cross-bar to the mizzen peak with four ship’s lanterns; also to sling a ship’s lantern over each gun-port, as the fight would be in the dark, and friend must be distinguished from foe. Superintended the sanding of decks, and final arrangements. 6.30, the fight began. French land batteries opened on the _Goliath_, which ship, followed by the _Theseus_ and others, rounded the tip of the French line and dropped anchor on the shoal side. By 7.0 it was dark, the battle raging furiously apparently on both sides of the enemy van. At 7.15 received message from Captain Troubridge of the _Culloden_ that he was on the sands. Put helm over and kept away to eastwards. 7.30, sailed down the battle line looking for an enemy’s ship to lie alongside. Sighted a vessel in movement. Order given to stand to the guns, for she showed no lights. Hailed ship, and received answer: “This is the _Bellerophon_ going out of action disabled”. Passed close under stern of _Bellerophon_. She had apparently lost both main and foremasts, and much wreckage lay over her sides. As far as could be distinguished in the darkness she appeared to be just under control, carrying on under mizzen and sprit sail. 7.40, order given to take _Bellerophon’s_ place in fight. At 8.3 let go one small bower anchor in seven fathoms of water. At 8.5 commenced firing at a two-decked ship called the _Franklin_ on the starboard quarter, and a three-decked ship called _L’Orient_ on starboard bow. Apparently _L’Orient_ was some 200 yards from our ship. She was using all three tiers of guns, but some had been put out of action by the _Bellerophon_. At 8.30 the _Alexander_ also closed on _L’Orient_ [_added later_: she was French Flag-ship] and the fight became very furious. At 9.3 _L’Orient_ caught fire. Order given to isolate _L’Orient’s_ poop with cannon and musket-fire, to prevent the flames being put out. (In the glare much loose gear, such as paint-pots could be seen scattered on the poop.) At a quarter to 10 _L’Orient_ blew up. Most of the wreckage fell into the sea; some on to the deck of the _Swiftsure_ but without inflicting casualties. Hove in cable. Lowered two boats, in charge of midshipmen. Picked up nine men and one lieutenant who escaped out of _L’Orient_. Saw the _Alexander’s_ bowsprit and her main-topgallant sail to be on fire. At 10.20 ceased firing. Sent Lieutenant Cowen to take possession of the enemy’s ship, the _Franklin_, that lay on our quarter, who hailed us that she had struck, with her main mizzen-masts gone. At 10.35 he returned, finding that she was taken possession of by an officer from the _Defence_. At 10.50 saw the _Alexander_ and another ship, which proved to be the _Majestic_, engaging the enemy’s ships to the left of us at about a mile. Bore down to their assistance. For the next four hours engaged enemy’s ships to the rear of their line. Enemy’s fire became wild and inflicted little damage. At 3 a.m. order was given to cease fire. Guns’ crews much exhausted, many of the men lying on the gun decks, their arms swollen from continuous work at the out-hauls. Order given for the distribution of rum and coffee. At 5.30 saw that six of the enemy’s ships at our end of the line had struck their colours. Our carpenters employed stopping the shot-holes. People employed knotting and splicing the rigging. At 6 the _Majestic_ fired her minute guns on interring her captain, who was killed in the action.

End of Project Gutenberg's Précis writing for beginners, by Guy Noel Pocock